Another House Republican eschews Grover Norquist tax pledge

New York Rep. Chris Gibson is declining to re-sign an anti-tax pledge that has become a litmus test seen as widely necessary by elected Republicans.

Rep. Chris Gibson on election night. (Jimmy Vielkind/Times Union)

Gibson, R-Kinderhook, signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge in 2010, when he ousted ex-Rep. Scott Murphy from the 20th Congressional District, which covered areas of the Hudson Valley from Lake Placid to Poughkeepsie and had a solid Republican enrollment advantage.

The pledge, pushed by Washington fixture Grover Norquist, states that its signatories “oppose any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses; and … oppose any net reduction or elimination of deductions and credits, unless matched dollar for dollar by further reducing tax rates.”

The document is addressed to the residents of a given district. Gibson’s district was renumbered and shifted significantly during the once-a-decade process of redistricting: he was just elected over Kingston attorney Julian Schreibman in the 19th District, which covers the mid-Hudson Valley and Catskills as well as parts of Rensselaer and Montgomery counties. Its partisan enrollment figures are closer than the old 20th District; Gibson beat Schreibman by seven points.

Gibson moderated his rhetoric on federal spending and abortion between the 2010 and 2012 elections, and is declining to sign a pledge to the constituents of the new 19th District. His spokeswoman Stephanie Valle explained that the pledge was unnecessary given Gibson’s new record.

“As a 24-year veteran of the United States Army, without a legislative record, the pledge was his commitment to the district he was running to represent that he would fight for Upstate families, small businesses, and farmers in Congress, recognizing that high taxes are an impediment to growth in New York and result in less discretionary income for New York families,” said Valle. “Since being elected, he has fought for these pro-growth policies that include reforming the tax code to close loopholes that don’t grow the economy so that we can lower rates for families, small businesses, and farms in New York.”

Congress is currently debating ways to reduce the federal deficit, which may involve a larger deal that cuts spending and raises more tax revenue. Gibson said after the election, when Barack Obama was re-elected and parties kept control over their respective chambers of Congress, that voters sent a clear message for bi-partisan action.

It seems bucking the Norquist pledge is a sign Gibson will be among a growing number of rank-and-file Republicans in the House of Representatives will support a larger deal that includes some revenue increase.

“He is opposed to increasing the marginal rates for individuals and businesses and has voted against this as a standalone measure; however, he will consider all comprehensive packages brought forward as a result of bipartisan negotiations,” said Valle.